Local Agenda 21 Guidelines

Local Agenda 21 Guidelines The concept of Local Agenda 21 was first introduced in 1987 at a meeting of world leaders in Norway. During that meeting the participants agreed that the planet has to adopt policies of sustainable development in order to move forward. Officially the Local Agenda 21 was then introduced at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, organised by the United Nations where more than 100 countries and representatives of more than 10000 organizations agreed to work out local agendas for sustainable living. Each country represented was then advised to develop a LA21 plan with the agenda set by the community itself rather than by the central government. Since 1992, more than 6,400 municipalities in 113 countries have been working to accelerate the transition to sustainable, equitable and secure communities. In European Union thousands of Local Authorities have a Local Agenda 21 plan although in countries like Greece for example this initiative is not always under the name of Agenda 21. In the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 there was a review of the progress made in Local Agenda 21. The participants were pleased of the progress made but also pointed out new opportunities to adopt concrete steps and identify quantifiable targets for better implementing Agenda 21 as the best strategies are only as good as their implementation. The major results and announcements from the Johannesburg Summit regarding Local Agenda 21 and Energy were: Increasing energy accessibility Although energy services have been extended to new groups of consumers, there is still a significant number of residents in rural and remote areas still lack access to sufficient energy resources. Changing production and consumption patterns In a lot of countries there was an introduction of policies and programs for encouraging energy conservation and efficiency in various sectors. This had as a result to: Reduce the growth rate of energy consumption. Improve the efficiency of electric power plants, but also the distribution efficiencies and electricity transmission; Support for the preparation of energy audits, The creation of specialized national bodies of expertise in the energy area; and Dissemination for raising public awareness for energy savings and sustainable development. Promotion of renewable sources of energy progress has been achieved in promoting the use of renewable energy technologies. Introduction of cleaner fuels and technologies the last few decades there was a significant increase in the use of natural gas. There was also commercialisation of some new renewable energy. The use of combined-cycle electricity generation systems has also become more common in industries and the electric power sector. Energy and transport There was a great deal of new policies which have been applied throughout the developed and developing countries. For example in European Union there was a band on leaded gasoline. In developing countries like Egypt for example, there was an incentive program in Cairo that supported a switch to natural gas vehicles; The outcome of this initiative was to increase substantial the number of vehicles using natural gas and today there are more than 27000 such vehicles are already in use. Pilot projects to use fuel cells for buses are also under consideration in some parts of the region. Promotion of regional cooperation the 1990s witnessed noticeable progress in regional cooperation in the energy sector. This is manifest by the realisation of a regional electricity grid interconnection between countries in the European Union. Also, as European Union expanded to the East there are now even more opportunities for further cooperation between the old EU countries with the new comers. Finally and perhaps the most important announcement was the launch of Local Action 21 Local Action 21 builds upon the worldwide successes of Local Agenda 21 since Rio. Local Action 21 fills in Agenda 21 in regards the implementation of Agenda 21, it represents a move from Agenda to Action, from plan to practice. Energy In Agenda 21 Energy is a key issue on Agenda 21 as it recognises its importance for human productivity and development. As such, energy receives significant coverage within most of the chapters of Agenda 21. It addresses the importance and the relationship of energy use and sustainable development. In particular explains the importance of energy supply, demand, and suggests ways for the transition from unsustainable to sustainable approaches to energy management. For example in Chapter 4 it states the importance of changing consumption patterns and it gives suggestions of how economies can reduce the use of energy and harmful materials without compromising their growth. This can be achieved by greater efficiency in the use of energy and resources by choosing the right technology and resources to produce goods and services which otherwise would have required significant amounts of energy. Governments should cooperate by giving initiatives to industry to use energy and resources efficiently and with special attention to the environment. In chapter 6 Agenda 21 points out how badly the environment has been damaged as a result of past and present developments in consumption and production patterns and lifestyles in energy production and use of people in developed and developing world, but also because of industrys bad practices. This has as a result hundreds of millions of people to suffer of pollution related conditions. Therefore, in chapter 6 it is suggested to establish environmental health impact assessment procedures for the planning and development of new industries and energy facilities as well as promote the introduction of environmentally sound technologies within the industry and energy sectors. In chapter 7 of the Local Agenda 21 is clearly recognized that the promotion of sustainable energy and transportation is one of the best ways of achieving sustainability. It urges to increase the efforts of energy saving and promote renewable energy techniques and technologies. It calls to use energy efficient building materials and use an integrated approach to buildings as needed. This is important as the building sector today is one of the major user of energy and any energy saving made on this sector will contribute significantly to the reduction of energy use. Chapter 9 recognizes that the protection of the atmosphere is an essential element of sustainable development and as such energy generated air pollution should be reduced. Therefore, all the different energy sources should be used in ways that respect the atmosphere as well as the human health and the environment as a whole. To achieve this, cooperation between different partners is important in order to identify and develop economically viable and environmentally friendly energy sources for meeting the increasing energy needs (in particular for the developing countries). The above shows that energy development, efficiency and consumptions are one of the main issues of Agenda 21. Energy is well understood that is essential to both social improvement and economic development and contributes to better quality of life. In the last few decades has been realised that much of the worlds energy, is produced and consumed in ways that could not be sustained if technology were to remain constant and if overall quantities were to increase substantially. According to recent scientific findings the need to control atmospheric emissions of greenhouse and other gases and substances, will increasingly need to be based on the efficient use of energy (in terms of production, transmission, distribution and consumption), and on growing reliance on environmentally sound energy systems, such as new and renewable sources of energy. This means that all energy sources will need to be used in ways that respect the atmosphere, human health and the environment as a whole. At the moment there are significant constraints to increasing the environmentally sound energy supplies in developing world such as the world economic crisis. Agenda 21 Guidelines In order to overcome any barriers and help countries and people adopt to Local Agenda commitments, Agenda 21 sets up guidelines for activities that governments at the appropriate level, with the cooperation of the relevant United Nations bodies and, as appropriate, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and the private sector, should follow. These are: Environmentally sound energy sources Cooperate in identifying and developing environmentally sound energy sources and economically viable to support the availability of increased energy supplies to promote sustainable development efforts, specially in developing countries; Environmental Impact assessments Promote the development at the national level of appropriate methodologies for making integrated energy, economic and environment policy decisions for sustainable development, through environmental impact assessments; Modernisation of old power stations Promote the research, development, transfer and use of superior energy-efficient practices and technologies, including endogenous technologies in all relevant sectors, giving special attention to the modernization and rehabilitation of power systems; Promotion of renewable energy technology Overcome any barriers found in the way of the development of renewable energy technology to promote the research, development, transfer and use of technologies and practices for renewable energy systems such as biomass energy technologies, wind energy, solar technologies hydro and others. Energy capacities Promote the development of institutional, planning, scientific and management capacities, in order to encourage policies which targets energy efficiency and environmental protection. Energy diagnosis of energy supply mixes Study current energy supply mixes in order to increase in an economically efficient manner, in developing and developed countries, the use of environmentally sound energy systems and overcome any barriers to their development and use. Evaluation and promotion of cost effective policies Improvement of energy efficiency by promoting cost-effective policies in accordance with national socio-economic development and environmental priorities of a country. Good planning and programme management Build capacity for programme management and energy planning in energy efficiency, as well as for the development, introduction, and promotion of new and renewable sources of energy; Establishment of standards Promote appropriate emission standards or recommendations and energy efficiency at the national level, aimed at the development and use of technologies that minimize undesirable impacts on the environment; Education awareness programs Encourage awareness-raising programs at the local, national and regional levels concerning how energy affects the environment and what can be done to minimise our environmental footprint by wise use of energy. Energy labelling Establish, in cooperation with the private sector, labelling programmes for products to inform consumers of energy consumption and benefits of choosing the most efficient products. In summary Agenda 21 and Local Action 21 as it was introduced in a later stage sets up some main objectives for the energy. The basic and most important objective is to reduce adverse effects on the atmosphere from the energy sector. This can be done by promoting policies or programmes, as appropriate, to increase the contribution of environmentally sound and cost-effective energy systems, such as new and renewable ones, through less polluting and more efficient energy production, transmission, distribution and use. In order to meet this objective it should be understood the need for equity, adequate energy supplies and increasing energy consumption in developing countries. In particular it should be taken into consideration countries that are highly dependent on income generated from the production, processing and export, and/or consumption of fossil fuels and associated energy-intensive products and/or the use of fossil fuels for which countries have serious difficulties in switchi ng to alternatives, but also countries that are highly vulnerable to adverse effects of climate change. In European Union, although there was a significant progress on the implementation of Agenda 21 there are still lots that need to be done. The policies and tools that have been used by the EU are numerous and it is not of the scope of this document to mention, therefore we mention just three key targets that has been set up by EU to be met by 2020, these are: Cut off at least 20% in greenhouse gas emissions from all primary energy sources compared to 1990 levels. 20% of energy consumption should come up by renewable sources and Achieve a 20% energy saving by 2020 in energy consumption through energy efficiency. The above targets could only be achieved if citizens act responsible on how they use energy by recognising that the way they choose to live has a direct impact to the environment.

What are the differences between the Indian religion and Catholicism? :: social issues

What are the differences between the Indian religion and Catholicism? When the settlers first came to America they were meet by the Indians. Once the settlers were able to make it on there own, they no longer needed Indian help. Then they began to try to change the ways of the Indian. One of the aspects that the settlers spent much time on trying to change of the Indians was there religion. One of the main religions that the Indians were forced to try to convert to was that of Cathoilism. Many attempts were made to change the Indians ways and convert them, but to understand why they were trying to convert them one should know the differences between the religions of that of the Indians and of the Catholics. One of the biggest differences is that of individual interpretation by that of the Indians. Compared to the structured ways of the Catholics. There is first the two different types of ceremonies that go on in the two religions. In Catholicism you have the weekly event of going to mass. Every Sunday a practicing Catholic is supposed to go to mass. Next to repent for ones sins you may go to penance or also known as reconciliation. Those are the main ceremonies that you have for Catholicism. In the Indian religion you have the Sweats. When Professor Anderson came to class to speak of the Crow Indians, he spoke of the different sweats that he had been invited to take part in. It seemed very interesting that he, a white man, was able to take part in a ritual that has been around for hundreds of years in the Indian religion. When he talked about them he spoke of the welcomes that he received from the Indians. He said that every sweat was different, none being the same. Everyone asks for a different thing, hence is the individual interpretation. In Catholicism you have the same ceremonies year in and year out. Next there is the major difference in scriptures that are read. In Catholicism there is one book, I am sure that we all have heard of it, the Bible. In Catholicism it is made up of the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is made up of scriptures before the coming of Jesus. The New Testament is made up of scriptures written up after the coming of Jesus.

Reading Habits

1 Findings FINDINGS 1. English is the most preferred language for reading; Mother tongue claimed the 2nd spot with 48% preferring to read in their mother tongue against 46% preferring Hindi. 2. Preferences of activities (PUMBA Vs Non-PUMBA) [where candidates were asked to rank their preferences on a 1-5 ranking scale] shows that: a. PUMBA candidates rank better on Reading and TV watching over other than PUMBA institutes. b. Other than PUMBA institutes rank higher on Music listening and chatting over the internet. . A large chunk of the sample population rate Chatting as the most preferred activity. d. The least preferred activity of the sample is Shopping. 3. Candidates aged: a. 20-23 are most interested in Entertainment b. 24-27 are most interested in Technology c. 28 + are most interested in Business 4. Areas of Interest (Work experience-wise): a. 80% of Freshers’ areas of interest lie in Entertainment b. 72% of Work experienced candidates’ area of interest lies in Bu siness and Technology both. 5. Intention to read: a. The general trend that is seen is that the candidate either male or female read to learn, to be informed and for academics. b. The data shows that for 15% of females read out of habit as against 5% male candidates. c. 40% males read for news, contrary to female populations’ 5%. Reading Trends Among Students Department of Management Sciences, University of Pune PUMBA 2 Findings 6. The Internet followed by friends/colleagues and Newspapers/magazines form the major sources of information about Reading material. 7. Sources of Reading Material a. 3% of the respondents from Institutes other than PUMBA source their reading material from Websites. b. A majority of candidates from PUMBA i. e. 85% of the candidates consider the Library as their main source of reading material. 8. The most popular strategy adopted to overcome difficult reading material is to ask others for help. 9. The two major hurdles in reading are Time and Surroundings. 10. A whopping 91% of the sample population adm it ‘Strain on the eyes’ as the biggest reason for not preferring E-Reading. 11. Accessibility and Economy are the biggest pros for E-Reading. 12. There are NO differences Graduation stream-wise in the time spent on reading but there are differences Age-wise in the time spent on reading. 13. There are NO differences gender-wise for the reading intention to learn. 14. There are differences gender-wise for the intention of reading to stimulate imagination. 15. There are NO Gender-wise differences in the total time spent on reading. Reading Trends Among Students Department of Management Sciences, University of Pune PUMBA

Hypertension High Blood Pressure - 1192 Words

Hypertension is unusually high blood pressure that affects nearly 600 million people around the world. So many people are affected because hypertension rarely shows any symptoms while damaging the eyes, brain, heart, and kidneys. There is no known cure for hypertension although it causes five million premature deaths per year. One of the most effective hypertension treatments is homeopathy, a branch of alternative medicine based on the idea that the body has the ability to heal itself. There is evidence to show that homeopathic medication has helpful effects and can help treat hypertension. Blood pressure is the pressure of blood flowing in the walls of the blood vessels. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHG) and written with the systolic number over the diastolic number. A normal blood pressure is lower than 120/80 mm HG. Something higher than 120/80 mmHG means the patient has high blood pressure. Hypertension can be caused by factors such as unhealthy eating, excess intake of salt or alcohol, being overweight, not exercising enough, or genetic makeup. Blood pressure can increase when the physical and emotional aspects of a person are affected by stress. When blood pressure is raised, it can put a force on the heart and the heart may not beat normally. Therefore, it is important to start and maintain a healthy lifestyle. High blood pressure is a silent killer because it affects people without them noticing so it is important to get it measured. HypertensionShow MoreRelatedHypertension And High Blood Pressure1703 Words   |  7 PagesHypertension Hypertension is referred to as high blood pressure. Hypertension is frequently asymptomatic in the early stages, and the initial signs are often vague and nonspecific. They include fatigue, malaise, and sometimes morning headache. Consistently elevated blood pressure under various conditions is the key sign of hypertension. Because of the insidious onset and mild signs, hypertension is often undiagnosed until complications arise and has been called the â€Å"silent killer.† The complicationsRead MoreHypertension : High Blood Pressure1124 Words   |  5 Pages Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) is a sickness that a great many individuals of different varieties are influenced by. In spite of the fact that stress and emotional pressure can incidentally expand pulse; however it would not be considered as hypertension. Hypertension normally is there with no manifestations. It may happen and stay inconspicuous for a long time. Individuals, until told by a therapeutic doct or by large disregard hypertension. Individuals are not mindful of how hypertensionRead MoreHypertension : High Blood Pressure Essay1266 Words   |  6 Pages Many of my clients with high blood pressure take premium Omega-3 oils, and have reported benefits such as decrease in spikes, normalized pressure readings and other cardiovascular beneficial effects. Hypertension is High Blood Pressure, and blood pressure is defined as: (from Wikipedia) ... the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, and constitutes one of the principal vital signs. The pressure of the circulating blood decreases as blood moves through arteries, arteriolesRead MoreHypertension : High Blood Pressure1938 Words   |  8 Pages HYPERTENSION Summer 2015 Bhavneet K. Singh High blood pressure Definition: The heart is supplies the organs and tissues of the body with blood and nutrients it carries. It pumps blood into the blood vessels of the circulatory system. 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It is when the systolic reading is greater than 140 and the diastolic is greater than 90. Systolic is blood pressure when the heart contracts while diastolic is the time when the heart is relaxed. Primary care physicians are accustomed to seeing cases of hypertension.Read MoreHypertension And High Blood Pressure1767 Words   |  8 PagesHypertension Hypertension (or high blood pressure) is a condition that increases the chance of developing heart disease, which is the number one leading cause of death in the United States. Hypertension affects approximately 75 million adults in America, which translates to 29% of the population.1 Hypertension is a chronic condition that results with lasting blood pressure readings of 140/90 and higher and affects the cardiovascular system in the human body. The cardiovascular system is comprisedRead MoreHypertension ( Htn ), Or High Blood Pressure1000 Words   |  4 PagesHypertension (HTN), or high blood pressure, is the leading cause of cardiovascular disorders and is one of the most common health issues among adults. It affects nearly 50 million people in the United States and over 1 billion around the world (Porth, 2015, p. 425). Blood pressure is defined as the force exerted on arterial walls as blood is pumped from the left ventricle of the heart. A certain amount of pressure is necessar y in order to perfuse blood throughout the whole body. Normal blood pressureRead MoreEffects Of Hypertension On High Blood Pressure999 Words   |  4 Pages1DEFINITION: Hypertension has been defined as systolic pressure 140mmhg and diastolic pressure 90mmhg based on the average of two or more correct blood pressure measurement taken during two or more contacts with a health care provider (Chobania et al,2003). 2.2.2 CLASSIFICATION: It has been classified by the seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention ,Detection, Evaluation and treatment of high blood pressure(JNC, 2003) TYPE MEASUREMENT(mmHg) Normal 120/80 Pre-hypertension 120/80-139/89